Cape Town to Johannesburg: Road Trip Guide & Distance

783.9 miles 1261.6 km · straight line
867.6 miles actual route 1396.2 km · driving distance
15h 10min estimated drive time
ZAR 2178 - ZAR 2681 estimated fuel cost
~2h 5min flight time
50° NE bearing direction

How far is Cape Town from Johannesburg?

The distance from Cape Town to Johannesburg is 783.9 miles (1261.6 km) as the crow flies. Johannesburg is located NE of Cape Town. By car, the driving distance is approximately 867.6 miles, taking about 15h 10min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 5min. Both are located in South Africa.

This is a serious multi-day road trip! We strongly recommend breaking this journey up with an overnight stay to ensure you arrive safely and refreshed. Heading East means you'll be driving into the sunrise if you start early. Keep your windshield clean for the best visibility. For a trip of this distance, flying is significantly faster. However, driving offers the flexibility to explore stops along the way.

Coordinates come from public place data for Cape Town and Johannesburg. The driving distance uses an OSRM road-route result when route data is available. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Cape Town to Johannesburg

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 15h 10min ZAR 2178 - ZAR 2681 Flexible stops
Fly ~2h 5min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~18h 12min $69–$130* Budget
Train ~19h 43min $104–$304* Comfort

Quick Facts

Cape Town
33.92°S, 18.42°E
Africa/Johannesburg
0m elevation
Johannesburg
26.20°S, 28.05°E
Africa/Johannesburg
1753m elevation
Explore more routes from Johannesburg

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 261 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 65 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 31.8 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM